"Wait a minute: ...... I can't keep up with my head ......


　As I was enjoying my celebratory drink, the light next to me muttered something like that and put a hand to my forehead.

　Well, it's not unreasonable. But I can't say that.


''Light. Now you've completely conquered your feelings of inferiority and loneliness.

...... That may be true, but as of yesterday, I'd forgotten all about my feelings of inferiority and loneliness and was stewing. I'm only just now remembering that.

I don't like it when you look at me like that.

'It can be a joke!　But you're the emperor, you ......!　Isn't that a bit much?


　Light grabbed me by the chest and rocked me back and forth.

　But before Gordo was there, he was screaming in a whisper, as if he didn't really hate me. You are so dexterous.

　The fact that Light, who was vying with Melson for the title of the next emperor just a short time ago, now hates the title of emperor makes me happy: ......


Wright.

'I said I was the emperor ...... no, I certainly wanted to be, but suddenly I'm the emperor ...... no no no no ......'

Light!

"!　What, what?

This is a parting gift. Help me out.

'What, a parting gift ......?'


　I handed Wright a piece of memo paper.

　Inside, the instructions on how to learn the various skills were written in no uncertain terms. For now, it's all the skills of the title fight I'm currently competing in.


'Only teach them to the ones you think you can trust. You can use it as a bargaining chip, or you can learn it yourself. You can learn it yourself. Put it to good use. If you need help, talk to Cigarone or Nato.

'Well, wait. A parting gift is such a ...... kind of goodbye.

I'll see you soon.

...... or rather, a parting gift is meant to be a gift to the departing party.


　...................


"No, no, I meant as a parting gift to you, the Emperor. To me, yes, that's what yesterday's stew was.

So, ...... you're leaving the Empire after all, aren't you? ......?


　Huh, I managed to fool you.


'It's not that I won't see you again, but it's not that I won't see you again. I'll come to see you at every turn, and you can come to see me too. So don't look at me like that .......

......~~~!


　Wright hurriedly turned away, covering his face with his hands to hide his face from me.

　It's obvious that he misses me. No, I knew perfectly well that he would start crying now, but ...... well, we dare to pretend that we don't know.


　I popped Wright's head twice gently and turned to the next guy I had to talk to.



'Don't worry. Cigarone has given his seal of approval, the Empire will be fine.

............


　The man who keeps silent is Gordo Marvel.

　He chose Seven as the next emperor, but the current situation where it is about to be replaced by me in an instant, and then by Light even more, is very hard to accept.

　Nevertheless, I myself was brainwashed for two years and made a mess of the Empire. On top of that, he once declared me to be in charge of the Empire. I'm in no position to complain about it. I'm not in a position to complain about it.

　I had expected this to be the case, but....


The lights I know don't cry like that, and they don't laugh like that. "The lights I know don't cry like that, or laugh like that. "The lights I know don't laugh like that, or get angry like that. "The Light I know doesn't cry like that, doesn't laugh like that. She always kept to herself and covered her body with her thorns. Now, thanks to whoever it is, the chrysalis has become a butterfly. A parting gift, but well said. It's probably not that chrysanthemum, but rather the light that's trying to fly away from this. It's a good thing that you're not a part of the group. I think so too.

!


　Admitted.

　Gordo admitted that Wright: ......!

　You hear me, Wright?　......, you don't hear me because I'm crying. And if Wright was listening, Gordo wouldn't be saying this.


'But one point. Melson is not to be overlooked. Melson has a heavy burden to bear as Prime Minister.

'I see. Sure, I was worried about that too, but if Cigarone could keep an eye on it.

'I wouldn't expect that. This Cigarone guy will be training from morning to night once he's back in office. He won't have time to look after Melson.


　Okay, that was a blind spot. That's a typical Gordo opinion, knowing Cigarone well when he was a general.

　Then what should we do? As I was pondering this, Gordo smiled and opened his mouth.


"I'll be your advisor," he said.

!

　Advisor. So you're an advisor.


I like that.

Hmm. I don't know if it'll take a year or two, or how long, but it's up to me to keep an eye on him until he's ready.


　Melson is still half a man. I'm sure Gordo would agree with that. But I also think she's very good at what she does.

　Because, indeed, she saw that Seven was dangerous.

　Thanks to Cigarone, it's quite justified, but originally, I was trying to destroy the Empire. If we focus only on that, we can see that she was the only one standing up to the crisis of the Empire.

　The method, the timing and the character were all wrong, Melson.

　Well, there are worse cynics in the Empire, so that's not a problem.


'You're going to be busy. But does that make your wife happy?　Maybe you want to take it easy for a while, just the two of you?

'Naturally, I'll get my two years with Cleara back. It's just a gradual process. "Of course, you will get your two years back with Cleara, but it will be a gradual process, and Cleara will understand. And, fortunately for us, two years with an elf will not feel like five months to a human.


　I suddenly remembered and asked about Gordo's wife, and found that he was surprisingly poised.

　I'd heard that she was quite a loving wife, but I could see that she was in a proper, trusting relationship. I was relieved. The fact that he was even jealous of Wright and kept her away from him was probably only in the last two years.


'So now my daughter is my priority?'

Phew ...... and my son, and the Empire.


　Quite a greedy man. But that's exactly what Gordo Marvel is.

　Me and Gordo laughed and nodded at each other and parted ways.


　Now, the man who will be the new pillar of the empire.



'Here you are, Cigarone.

'Exactly. I almost got my leg over a stick. How do you take responsibility?


　...... Yeah, it's still the same, for better or worse.


'You'll be able to do wand arts with your feet too, won't you?　I envy you.

Haha!


　When I returned with sarcasm, Cigarone laughed good-naturedly.

　Apparently, he likes it when he's sarcastic and others are sarcastic.


'Oh?　What, I don't have any?


　And then he says something like that, holding out his right hand and fluttering it around like this.

　I guess he knows what I've given Wright, and he's saying that. Yeah, he has a good personality.


"Why don't you ask Wright to tell me?

"So you think you've tied me to His Highness.

Or else you wouldn't have kept the lights on.

Why do you think that is?

You don't seem to be interested in Wright.

!


　I have a feeling that non-combatants don't care. That's how much Cigarone is a man who has bet on the fight. Hence, he shouldn't be interested in Light.

　My guess is that Wright will use my notes himself. Most boys at that age do that.

　Assuming that's how I've developed my heady skills, I'm barely on the edge of getting Cigarone interested.

　Light chose to resist rather than run away. It's going to be okay, he's going to build up his strength now. Slowly but steadily, under Cigarone's watchful eye.


"I hope your highness doesn't end up like you.

What? Why?

Things got out of hand.

Hahaha!


　We had one last laugh at the joke and we parted ways.

　Light is only 16 years old. Considering the growth rate of the half-elf, he will probably grow much taller from now on.


　Now, let's move on.



'Nato, you used the transformation correctly earlier. The invincibility time resets the situation and allows you to gain an advantage in the last 2 seconds. The increase in status is just an added bonus.


　Nato, standing in front of Melson, opens his mouth with a small smile when he hears my words.


''Indeed, you were right. Invincibility time is the best trump card in the world, and the status increase will give you an itchy edge.

Right?

That's why I was so hard to judge.

?

You had ...... all figured it out, didn't you?


　That's not true.

　This is the result of Nato's search for a way to survive in the heart of the Empire while siding with Melson.

　The righteous Nato cannot betray Melson by any means. In that case, there was nothing better to do than to let Nato do his duty to him for now and do something about Melson in the meantime.


'You are too kind. How can you do this?　I, Your Highness, tried to assassinate you!　And yet!

Dude, calm down.

...... excuse me. But let me say this.


　Nato took one deep breath and continued his words.


'It's no use, I've thought so many times. That no amount of trickery could save your highness. It was too late to turn the wheel. When I found out, there was no longer any way out.

You're not very good at anticipating things before they happen.


　Instead, he's tenacious. I think I'm the kind of person who persists and thinks to arrive at an answer.

　No matter what kind of despair awaits you, you can persist until the very end. That's Nato's strength and weakness.

　Even though you knew there was nothing but despair ahead of you, you never gave up on Melson and remained a knight until the end, there is no way you could ever be unappreciated.

　This is the result of my ego. It's not a kindness thing.


That's the one. That's what I'm saying, you're being too nice.

That?

'They don't consider the enemy the enemy. I don't consider them enemies. They are all equal, without distinction, and they approach me with open arms to understand my character. You're free. You have no ties. There are no ties to you. ......


　I see.


I didn't have any reason to be hostile.

I'm sure you have a lot!　You're about to be assassinated!


　Nato shouted out. Unusual.


'...... I am a dark elf. I've lived in the eyes of discrimination more than most people. That's what this is all about. I even thought that I had become insensitive. I don't know anyone who doesn't discriminate as much as you do.

You're racist.


　I think I've done some of that subconsciously, too.

　The only thing I can say is that it doesn't matter. Gender, status, and race have absolutely nothing to do with anything in ......PvP.


'I just couldn't believe that you were a bad person. Hence, I was troubled. Your highness and you, both ...... I wanted to take care of.

I know. That's why I did this. You made me do this. I made it happen and you made it happen, so let's just talk about it.

......!


　Long and tedious. Perhaps Nato will "stick" with this conversation until he's satisfied. I have a feeling that this is the case, so I break off the conversation.


Yes, it's over. "Yes, that's it, you and I have no more feelings. That's the way it is.

But...

Okay, shut up!　Oh, yeah. Next title fight, I'm going to be with Cigarone. Mandatory entry. If you're lucky enough to win the tournament, I'll coach you.

!


　Jokingly, I said goodbye to Nato.


'...... I knew you were kind. We will fight as warriors, regardless of each other's position. Yes, there is nowhere else to fulfill your promise except on the stage of a title fight ......!


　With Nato's mutterings at my back, I face the next person in waiting.


　Melson Marvel - the Princess in question.


''Thank you, Melson. This past month has been a pleasure, thanks to you.


　When I said that, Melson's brow wrinkled up to look at me.

　Oops, did he take that as sarcasm?


'Sorry, I didn't mean it the way I said it. I should say I wasn't bored, or maybe I should say it was a nice spice: ...... Anyway, I don't mean that in a Cigarone way.


　The more I talked, the more stern Melson's expression became, so in the end I gave up and just told him that I wasn't being sarcastic.

　Then Melson opened his mouth.


I don't think I've ever been falsely accused of anything like this before. You are a genius at irritating people.

Not so much.

It's not a compliment!


　No, I'm good at inciting, and that's a compliment in PvP: .......


'You're really kidding me. An emperor in a month?　You, an enemy of the Empire?　You must be an ...... idiot to admit that when your identity is revealed.


　Well, I agree.


'How can this be allowed to happen?　Meritocracy?　That's a funny story. So, you search the world and you bring in a guy with the best stuff to fight, and he's the emperor?　I feel like a horse and deer!


　Melson doesn't try to run away or resist, as if he knows there's nothing more he can do about it. Instead, he is releasing his pent-up anger wherever he can.


''I don't think Gordo or Cigarone were looking at this just for pure combat ability, though.

'Shut up!　I know that!　What I'm trying to say is, does it matter who you are!


　No, it's not good.

　And I say, "Well, what about you, then! So I'll keep quiet.


'And I'm not convinced that you're going to give up your emperor, even if you're willing to give up your emperor, of course!　Wright is not a kid yet!　There's no way an emperor can serve!

Well, just pretend you've been tricked and let me handle it for once. If that doesn't work, then you'll think about it again.

He said, "Think again." ...... If the country is ruined, the people will suffer!　There's no way I can trust the country with such a half-hearted attitude!


　That's a d*mn good argument.

　But it's a shame. I have faith in Wright and the others, and in Winfiled.


"At least it's better than you keeping sending assassins against me.

......~~......!


　Melson closed his mouth.

　The assassination attempt that would normally have been a success on the first try failed so spectacularly, so it's hard to say anything about it.


You should look at the person in front of you, not the country. Then look at the country. If you keep looking up at the big picture, you will miss the important things that are falling at your feet.


　It's like paying so much attention to the movement of your opponent's weapon that you miss the footwork.

　The important thing is to stay calm and look at the whole picture. What he couldn't do in his obsession with the next emperor, he could now do with the light. Now, Melson, how about you?


'If you try your best to make the empire better as vizier under Gordo's counsel, you'll find out.

............


　Melson turns his gaze away from me and falls silent.

　He's like a child who couldn't get his selfishness through. This is the kind of place where you are sister and brother, after all. You're a bit like Wright when we met.


Then, good luck.


　With one last word of warning, I turned my back on Melson.

　I'm sure that the unwashed Gordo will be sternly instructing this jaybird for a while.

　It's a good idea to have a look at it, but ...... I have to go home now. It's too much of a holiday for me.



"Yeah, Olympia. Yeah, Olympia, you're in charge of the lights.

Knight Commander: ......!


　When I returned to Wright, Olympia was waiting for me, her eyes watering.


'If you can spare the work, you'll be in the title fight too. I've given the note paper to Wright.

'Memo paper for His Highness?　I see: ......!　A great knight in shining armor, this Olympian--

'Sorry to admire you, but I'm not a Knight Commander anymore, I'm just a second first test. And you'll be an Obersturmführer, not a new Knight Commander.

"--!


　As I recall, he said that the men guarding the Emperor are divided from the Kingsguard and are specially called the SS.

　The SS will probably be better paid than the Kingsguard. That's why I wanted these guys who were in my care to prepare the status of the SS and do their best there.


''We all need to work together to protect the lights.

Ha! ......!


　Olympia saluted powerfully. His posture, which showed only his determination to fulfill his duties, without saying anything unnecessary, was very noble indeed.

　Then the members of the knightly corps lined up behind him, and they too showed a beautiful salute.

　Behind them again, the entire 5th Platoon and the guardsman, Joe. They saluted the same way, seeing me off.



'...... Seven. No, Second. You'll definitely, definitely come back to see me.

　Light, who had been whimpering and crying earlier, broke the silence by making a radiant face.


''Yeah. I'll be here with a neighborly sensation, so be prepared for that.''


　Wright thought it was a joke and laughed with a face that looked like it was about to burst into tears.


　Hehehe, I'm sorry, but it wasn't a joke.

　Well, no one here would have known it wasn't a joke.

　I snap my fingers and activate the 《Magic Summon》.


''Anko-summoning is done.


　When I called Anko to my shadow, she blatantly drooped and opened her mouth.


"Lord (Aruji-sama), the sun is a little strong ...... Aha, please let me hide behind you.

'All right, make the transition as soon as possible. Before you do, I'll be back here, so remember your shadow.

"...... the impostor.


　Anko pouted and sulked and touched the light's shadow without hesitation before moving ahead to her home with 《Dark Transition》.


''Eh ...... what, what!　Who, now ......?


　Wright's eyes are black and white.

　I raise my right hand in a flutter and say a few words.

　Immediately after, I activate 《Dark Summoning》 on Anko.

　...... It's goodbye for a while.


"See you--



　It was the twenty-sixth day after the vacation began.